Michaux's Wormwood

Artemisia michauxiana

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Asteraceae
Genus:
Artemisia
Species:
Artemisia michauxiana

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb , Subshrub
Height:
3-4 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
jul, aug, sep
Bloom Colors:
Yellow

Native Range

United States: California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Yukon

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★☆☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Agonopterix clarkei, Aroga eldorada, Caloreas multimarginata, Epiblema benignata, Eucosma agricolana, Larch Coneworm Moth (Eucosma mandana), Oidaematophorus lienigianus, Phaneta dorsiatomana, Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
well-drained, rocky or sandy loam
pH:
6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
commonly found in alpine and subalpine meadows

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: 5 month outdoor winter stratification or a minimum of 3 month cold, moist stratification for optimum germination.

Establishment: Seeds are hand collected in mid September when achenes turn grey and are easily removed from the disc. Seeds are collected in paper bags and kept in a well ventilated drying shed prior to cleaning. A. michauxiana occurs in rocky places in the mountains, from B.C. and Alberta to California, south to Nevada, Utah and Wyoming.

Source: npn.rngr.net